{"id":172,"date":"2019-04-12T20:51:18","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T00:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/abestudentsuccess\/chapter\/after-the-test\/"},"modified":"2020-09-11T10:42:27","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T14:42:27","slug":"after-the-test","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/studentsuccess\/chapter\/after-the-test\/","title":{"raw":"6.4 After the Test","rendered":"6.4 After the Test"},"content":{"raw":"So far, we have focused on how to study for and take tests effectively. This section discusses how to use<\/em> test results to their greatest benefit. Some of your most important learning begins when your graded test paper is returned to you. Your first reaction, of course, is to see what grade you received and how you did compared with your classmates. This is a natural reaction.\n\nMake sure you listen to the instructor as the papers are returned. What is the instructor saying about the test? Is there a particular point everyone had trouble with? Does the instructor generally think everyone did well? The instructor\u2019s comments at this point may give you important information about what you should study more, about the value of review sessions, and even about possible questions for the next exam.\n\nAlthough you may be tempted to throw away the exam, don\u2019t. It is a very helpful tool for the next phase of preparing for learning. This is a three-step process, beginning with evaluating your results.\n

Evaluating Your Test Results<\/h1>\nWhen you receive your test back, sit quietly and take a close look at it. What questions did you get wrong? What kind of mistakes were they? (See Table 6.41 \"Exam Errors and How to Correct Them\" below.) Do you see a pattern? What questions did you get right? What were your strengths? What can you learn from the instructor\u2019s comments?\n\nNow think of the way in which you prepared for the exam and the extent to which you applied the exam strategies described earlier in this module. Were you prepared for the exam? Did you study the right material? What surprised you? Did you read the entire test before starting? Did your time allocation work well, or were you short of time on certain parts of the exam?\n

Exam Errors and How to Correct Them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
Study and Preparation Errors<\/caption>\n
Examples<\/th>\nCorrective Steps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
I did not study the material for that question (enough).<\/td>\nPractice predicting possible questions better.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I did not prepare enough.<\/td>\nJoin a study group. Create a study schedule. Review the study skills chapter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focus Errors or Carelessness<\/caption>\n
Examples<\/th>\nCorrective Steps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
I ran out of time.<\/td>\nRead the entire test before starting. Make a plan and allocate your time. Watch the clock.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I did not read the directions carefully.<\/td>\nRead carefully and reread to ensure you got it right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I misread or misunderstood the question.<\/td>\nRead carefully and reread to ensure you got it right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I confused terms or concepts that I actually know well.<\/td>\nRead carefully and think before answering a question. Go back and check answers at the end and you will often catch these mistakes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Content Errors<\/caption>\n
Examples<\/th>\nCorrective Steps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
I studied the material but couldn\u2019t make it work with the question.<\/td>\nSeek additional help from the instructor.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I didn\u2019t understand what the instructor wanted.<\/td>\nGo to all classes, labs, and review sessions. Get caught up on any missed classes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I confused terms or concepts.<\/td>\nJoin a study group. Review concepts throughout the term.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I didn't understand why I got the question wrong.<\/td>\nAsk your instructor for clarification.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Everything seemed to be a jumble in my mind and I mixed up what connected with what.<\/td>\nDon't cram. Schedule regular study time for this course.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mechanical Errors<\/caption>\n
Examples<\/th>\nCorrective Steps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
The instructor misread my writing.<\/td>\nSlow down! Don\u2019t rush through the exam. Take the time to do things right the first time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I didn\u2019t erase a wrong answer completely.<\/td>\nCross things out clearly rather than use an eraser. It is more time efficient.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I forgot to go back to a question I had skipped over.<\/td>\nUse the last 5 minutes of a test to go over it and check you have answered all the questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I miscopied some calculations or facts from my worksheet.<\/td>\nCopy things carefully. This is a frustrating way to lose marks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBased on your analysis of your test, identify the kind of corrective steps you should take to improve your learning and test performance. Implement those steps as you begin your preparation for your next class. If you don\u2019t learn from your mistakes, you are doomed to repeat them; if you don\u2019t learn from your successes, it will be harder to repeat them.\n

Correcting Your Mistakes<\/h1>\nThe second step in making your test work for you is to correct your wrong answers. The last time you wrote the information (when you took the test), you created a link to wrong information in your memory, so that must be corrected.\n